Russian heavyweight Anatoly Malykhin captured gold at Bad Blood in Singapore on Friday, and was on top of the world after doubling up on bonuses following the fight.
Malykhin (11-0) maintained his unblemished record with a knockout of Kirill Grishenko, a right hand ending the Belarusian’s night after he circled into it during the second round. With the win, “Spartak” claimed interim heavyweight gold — but if you ask him, he’s the real champion, not Arjan Bhullar.
“He is not the champion. I’m the champion. He’s the fake champion,” Malykhin told Cageside Press during his post-fight interview. As for when he wants to see the expected title unification bout go down, “I’m ready once my leg is recovered,” the Russian added. “I’m waiting actually for him in Tiger Muay Thai. I’ll knock him out there, and then we’ll go to the cage, I’ll knock him out there too.”
The injured leg Malykhin referenced affected him in the opening round with Grishenko, he admitted. In the second, “I felt like my boxing wasn’t that efficient any more, because of my injury. But then, I’m the best, I’m a dangerous guy. I’m the danger guy.”
Dangerous he is. He’s also now on a collision course with Indo-Canadian champ Bhullar, who earlier this week finally settled his ongoing contract dispute with the promotion.
In the meantime, it’s more than just a title Malykhin was celebrating Friday. He was also awarded two $50,000 post-fight bonuses by ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. Asked what he’ll spend the money on first, the newly crowned champ told us that “I would make my coach, my wife, my parents, and everyone who supports me, very close to me, make them happy, get them some gifts. That’s very important to me.”
Watch the full ONE Championship: Bad Blood post-fight media appearance from Anatoly Malykin above.
